Jangan Buru-buru Mengadakan Ujian Nasional (UN)

Summary

In this video, Memet Sudarianto discusses the ongoing debate about the return of Indonesia's national exam (Ujian Nasional). He examines its role in motivating students, while critiquing its focus solely on cognitive knowledge and the unhealthy competition it creates among schools, students, and parents. The speaker also highlights issues like cheating and the lack of a holistic approach to education. He advocates for an integrated education system involving schools, families, and communities, urging the government to evaluate policies like Kurikulum Merdeka before making drastic decisions. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on the future of the national exam and its impact on education.

Takeaways

• 😀 The return of the national exam (Ujian Nasional) in Indonesia is a topic that sparks ongoing debate and discussion in the education sector.
• 😀 The government’s decision to halt the 'Sekolah Penggerak' program (a key initiative from the previous education minister) has raised concerns about the direction of the country's education policy.
• 😀 Minister Abdul Mukti’s statements hint at the possible return of the national exam, which has sparked mixed reactions among educators, parents, and students.
• 😀 Ujian Nasional is seen by some as an important tool to motivate students and improve educational outcomes, with several studies showing it positively impacts student motivation.
• 😀 The current system of the national exam has been criticized for only assessing cognitive knowledge (i.e., factual recall) and not accounting for students' skills and attitudes.
• 😀 There have been significant issues with cheating and unethical practices during Ujian Nasional, which detracts from its effectiveness as a reliable measure of student learning.
• 😀 The pressure to excel in the national exam leads to unhealthy competition among parents and schools, with many students attending extra tutoring to achieve the highest possible scores.
• 😀 Many students experience stress and trauma due to the pressure associated with Ujian Nasional, and this anxiety extends to their parents as well.
• 😀 Reintroducing Ujian Nasional may place a heavy financial burden on the government, which would need to allocate significant resources to ensure the exam's proper implementation and oversight.
• 😀 The Merdeka Curriculum, combined with the Sekolah Penggerak program, was a comprehensive and holistic effort to improve education in Indonesia, and its hasty discontinuation may undermine progress in educational reform.

Q & A

What is the central topic of the video?

The central topic of the video is the potential return of the national exam (Ujian Nasional) in Indonesia and the implications of this decision on the education system.

Why is the return of the Ujian Nasional being discussed?

The return of the Ujian Nasional is being discussed because the Minister of Education has hinted at its possible reintroduction, and there is debate about whether it should return as part of efforts to improve student motivation and educational standards.

What are the arguments in favor of reintroducing the national exam?

Proponents argue that the Ujian Nasional motivates students to study, raises the quality of education, and provides a standardized assessment of students' cognitive abilities, which has been shown to improve learning outcomes.

What are some criticisms of the Ujian Nasional?

Criticisms include the narrow focus on cognitive skills, the prevalence of cheating, unhealthy competition among schools and parents, and the trauma it causes students. Additionally, it does not assess other important competencies like skills and attitude.

What is the 'School Penggerak' program, and why was it halted?

The 'School Penggerak' program was an initiative under the previous Minister of Education, Nadiem Makarim, aimed at improving schools through holistic reforms. It was halted due to changes in government policy, leading to a reduction in funding, particularly for facilitators of the program.

How does the video describe the current state of education in Indonesia?

The video describes the current state of education in Indonesia as uncertain, with several reforms like the Merdeka Curriculum in their early stages and debates over whether programs such as the Ujian Nasional and School Penggerak should continue.

What role do family, school, and community play in the education system, according to the video?

The video emphasizes the importance of the 'Trisentra Pendidikan' — the three pillars of education: family, school, and community. It suggests that all three must work together to build student character and foster a conducive learning environment.

What are the concerns about the government's management of educational programs?

Concerns include the lack of long-term evaluation of new programs like the Merdeka Curriculum and the abrupt termination of the School Penggerak program. Additionally, there are issues related to corruption, mismanagement, and inadequate funding in the execution of these policies.

What alternatives to the Ujian Nasional does the video propose?

The video proposes that the government focus on a more comprehensive assessment system that includes not only cognitive skills but also evaluates students' attitudes and psychomotor development, making the evaluation process more holistic and aligned with modern educational needs.

What is the potential impact of reintroducing the Ujian Nasional on students and families?

Reintroducing the Ujian Nasional could exacerbate the stress and trauma that students and their families already face due to unhealthy competition and pressure to achieve high scores. It might also lead to more intense and unproductive extra-school tutoring aimed at scoring well on the exam, rather than fostering overall student development.